Workflow Explanation: Octatrack / Digitakt / Digitone & Microcosm via Overbridge

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

So I’m working this out at the moment. Hopefully, it’s of use to any of yous.

I’ve had this setup without DAW like you probably all would:

  • Audio - DT > A/B
  • Audio - DN headphone > Microcosm > C/D
  • Midi - OT > DT. DT Thru > DN. DN Thru > Microcosm

Now the Microcosm is on all DN tracks; which forces me to sample the DN into the OT dry for basses and such. I was thinking about bypassing this and having the Cosm as a send via Cue Outs, but there’s just no way to make this work standalone. I’d also like to use the Cosm on other stuff in the DAW.

Now I’ve changed the setup to utilize Overbridge. Main reasons: Seamlessly switching between Ableton mode, lots of FX on individual tracks, and using a Glue Comp on the OT at the end of it all.

I’ve made an Aggregated Audio Device via Mac:

    • DT multitracked via Overbridge. Group > DT’s input. This goes into OT’s A/B.
    • DN multitracked via Overbridge. Group > DN’s input. This goes into OT’s C/D.
    • Both the DT and DN plugin are set to ‘no sync’, to ensure the OT remains the brain.

Now I can use Ableton’s FX on all individual tracks; before then routing the stuff like you would do anyways into OT.

image
image1310×911 58.2 KB

I use the other output’s on my Focusrite to send into the Microcosm via a 2 TS > 1 TRS cable. It’s not possible via Send unfortunately; because AFAIK I cannot route a send into the OT.
For now I’m using the EXT. Audio Effect to route individual tracks into the Microcosm.

One weird thing that’s happening: The OT Scenes are affecting the Microcosm, probably via some Midi CC message or something. The light’s change once my slider goes far right. Anyone know where to disable what? :smiley:

It’s the result of my 3rd OT: I’ve finally realized that it’s not competing with Ableton. I can take both a dawless approach, a hybrid approach, or an ITB approach. Whatever works. This helps me switch between these seamlessly.

2 Likes
2

Another thing that works and might be even more convenient, since you can sidechain the DN (and everything else you wanna send into the OT’s C/D) to the DT’s Kick. Here it’s on the DN group, but individual tracks are just as easy.

image
image1701×899 100 KB

2 Likes
3

Update:
When trying to do a performance i do notice weird volume spikes when twisting knobs. Especially the filter gives occasional peaks. I ragequitted so haven’t found the problem, probably a compressor or something.

My best bet might be to upgrade the interface from my 8i6 to something with 1 more stereo output, or to just seperate the digis from the OT for now / remove ableton from the equation.

4

This is great. I’ll definitely look to try this out. Right now I am using a DT, DN and OT but I think I’ll get a lot from ableton using this set up.

I also get a CC issue. When I change any params on the OT pages it sends CC messages to my DT (set up being OT out into DT then thru to DN). For example, changing the rate on the OT changes the sample on the DT. I didn’t have any midi tracks set up on the OT, I’m new to the OT so didn’t troubleshoot much more and instead just turned off all incoming CC on the DT.

I presume the OT shouldn’t send any CC messages out unless they’re set up on a midi track?

5

Yeah; there’s settings on the OT that allow you to sent CC only to int. IIRC it’s on the Settings > midi page.

1 Like
6

Yep, exactly that. Now fixed, thanks a lot

1 Like
7

Bumping this to raise the question, what would be the optimal way to route these without Ableton involved? Can you prevent running the entire Digitone through the Cosm?